Biddeford Hostess workers travel to Pennsylvania to strike

Workers join hundreds of Philadelphia plant employees in strike

UPDATED 12:11 AM EST Nov 13, 2012

Philadelphia, PA -

Employees who work for the maker ofTwinkies are continuing their strike this morning.

Several hundred workers at a Hostess plant in northeast Philadelphia are off the job honoring picket lines by the bakers' union at the bankrupt company's plants. Workers from the Biddeford "Hostess" plant have joined those workers.

The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union says Friday's walkout began after Hostess Brands Inc. imposed a contract that cuts wages and benefits by 27 to 32 percent, with an immediate 8 percent wage reduction.

Hostess declared bankruptcy earlier this year. A company representative urged workers to accept the contract to help rebuild the company. The representative also warned that a prolonged strike could mean major layoffs. Members of the BCTGM Local 334 in Biddeford said this is the second time they have been asked to reduce their wages and can't afford to keep doing so.

Copyright 2012 by WMTW.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.